Parents and Children Together Preventing Diabetes

The investigators' long-term research goal is to translate the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) in community-based settings for overweight/obese African American (AA) families at risk for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Intensive lifestyle approaches addressing physical activity, healthy eating patterns, and stress management are established methods for reducing obesity and risk of T2DM for adults (Knowler, 2002; Tuomilehto et al, 2001; Pan et al, 1997). But, minimal evidence exists that this knowledge has been translated in sustainable settings or in a manner that acknowledges the influences of daily life on motivation and family self-efficacy for changes in nutrition and physical activity. The study proposes to adapt these components for AA families through the use of "family coaches", one-on-one intervention sessions through supervised individualized physical activity, and tailoring intervention strategies for individual families. Utilizing a family systems approach, each component will be delivered using brief motivational strategies that will target self-efficacy and motivational readiness. This four month, two-arm randomized clinical trial, Parents and Children Together Preventing Diabetes (PACT PD) will test the central hypothesis that, relative to a control condition, a "family health coaching" intervention focused on nutrition and physical activity using brief motivational strategies will improve targeted dietary and physical activity behaviors in overweight/obese AA parents and their overweight/obese 8-10 year old children, (N=50 families) all of whom are at risk for T2DM diabetes. This study will test the feasibility and acceptability of training YMCA fitness staff to utilize brief motivational interviewing and serve as "family health coaches". This study will evaluate the early efficacy of the newly translated, family-based diabetes prevention intervention in improving anthropometric measures of BMI (primary outcome) and waist circumference, physical activity and dietary intake, and family functioning (secondary outcomes) and intervention fidelity, feasibility and acceptability of participants. Further, the study will assess the acceptability and feasibility of booster interventions for motivation maintenance and potential for long-term retention and intervention success in the subsequent R18 application. This study will provide critical information regarding the early effectiveness of an innovative, family-based, behavioral intervention for the prevention of T2DM specifically translated for AA families. This study is funded by the National Institutes for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.